ARRMAZ HELPS SPODUMENE PRODUCER EXCEED GRADE AND RECOVERY TARGETS

The digital world runs on electronic devices, and oftentimes those devices run on lithium batteries. In nature, lithium is never found in its elemental, metallic state. Instead, it’s extracted from lithium minerals found in rocks such as spodumene.[1] For that reason, spodumene is a prized commodity that is mined on nearly every continent. Recently, ArrMaz, the leading supplier of specialty solutions which optimize mining process performance and efficiency, partnered with a spodumene mineral processor that wanted to produce a more concentrated, battery-grade spodumene product. With our help, the client was able to exceed both grade and recovery goals, while at the same time significantly reducing collector consumption.

The Challenge

The client’s deposits faced metallurgical challenges, chiefly, a high percentage of quartz and iron silicates, mica, amphibole and other minerals that were degrading the quality of the spodumene product. The deposits were found to contain 10-20% spodumene. In order to reach battery-grade quality, the spodumene concentrate had to be upgraded from 0.8-1.2% Li2O to consistently more than 6.0%. The processing plant was achieving concentrate levels up to 4.5% at the time. Their goal was to not only improve the grade to 6%, but also improve recovery at the same time. That’s when the company turned to the experts at ArrMaz.

The Solution

ArrMaz quickly identified the commodity-type collector being used as an obstacle to achieving recovery and production targets. So ArrMaz developed a custom collector formulation tailored to the mineral processor’s unique feed, water and process. ArrMaz used its CustoFloat technology to develop a custom-formulated surfactant-enhanced reagent, which was more effective at meeting the grade and recovery requirements for this particular deposit. Our consultants examined the entire mining process and made adjustments to feed processing and mineral conditioning parameters to maximize plant and reagent performance.

The Results

ArrMaz’s custom solution consistently made grade targets and provided acceptable recovery and production tons. Additionally, flotation selectivity improved as the ratio of lithium to iron increased significantly. Collector consumption decreased by 68%, while ease-of-handling and make-down efficiency surged. With the help of ArrMaz’s technical experts and custom collector formulation the site is now meeting or exceeding performance criteria, and the successful supplier-client partnership continues to this day.

Read the entire case study for more details on how ArrMaz helped this spodumene producer partner maximize recovery and make grade.

Spodumene producer

ArrMaz laboratory froth flotation loaded with spodumene

[1] http://large.stanford.edu/courses/2010/ph240/eason2/

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

DXpedition
Icom Powers 3Y0K : Ham Radio’s Most Ambitious DXpedition to Remote Bouvet Island Part 1
July 11, 2025

Bouvet Island sits at the edge of the world. It is frozen, uninhabited, and almost impossible to access. Fewer people have set foot there than in space. That level of remoteness is exactly what makes it so valuable to amateur radio operators. The island ranks tenth on ClubLog’s list of Most Wanted DXCC entities,…

Read More
entrepreneurial success
The Hidden Key to Entrepreneurial Success: Build Momentum Through Personal Branding and Authentic Networking
July 10, 2025

What if the biggest pivot of your career started with a conversation?  In this episode of Professional Quotient, host Jason Winningham welcomes Fanny Dunagan, CEO and Content Strategist of PathLynks, LLC. Fanny shares her journey from high-pressure consulting in Singapore to founding her own media and branding company — and why learning to network…

Read More
Q2 2025
RM Q2 2025 Wrap Up
July 9, 2025

Rogue Marketing continues to lead with intention in a space often driven by noise. Q2 2025 reflected a strategic focus on substance, where each initiative supported long-term brand growth. The team transformed internal recognition efforts into enduring brand assets and refined event strategies through immersive, results-driven experiences. Website launches during the quarter balanced visual…

Read More
amateur radios
Hamvention Spotlight: Emergency Preparedness Led PrepHam Paul to Amateur Radios and a Rising Voice in the Field
July 9, 2025

PrepHam Paul (K5VLP) celebrated his first visit to Dayton Hamvention by marking a major channel milestone. He hosted a giveaway of the  IC-2370B mobile radio from Icom to thank viewers for helping him reach 10,000 subscribers. His passion for emergency preparedness, rooted in his experience as an Eagle Scout and later studies in emergency management,…

Read More